Plasma Carboxyl-Metabolome Is Associated with Average Daily Gain Divergence in Beef Steers

Abstract

We applied an untargeted metabolomics technique to analyze the plasma carboxyl-metabolome of beef steers with divergent average daily gain (ADG). Forty-eight newly weaned Angus crossbred beef steers were fed the same total mixed ration ad libitum for 42 days. On day 42, the steers were divided into two groups of lowest (LF: n = 8) and highest ADG (HF: n = 8), and blood samples were obtained from the two groups for plasma preparation. Relative quantification of carboxylic-acid-containing metabolites in the plasma samples was determined using a metabolomics technique based on chemical isotope labeling liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Metabolites that differed (fold change (FC) ≥ 1.2 or ≤ 0.83 and FDR ≤ 0.05) between LF and HF were identified using a volcano plot. Metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA) of the differential metabolites was done to determine the metabolic pathways or enzymes that were potentially altered. In total, 328 metabolites were identified. Volcano plot analysis revealed 43 differentially abundant metabolites; several short chain fatty acids and ketone bodies had greater abundance in HF steers. Conversely, several long chain fatty acids were greater in LF steers. Five enzymatic pathways, such as fatty acyl CoA elongation and fatty-acid CoA ligase were altered based on MSEA. This study demonstrated that beef steers with divergent ADG had altered plasma carboxyl-metabolome, which is possibly caused by altered abundances and/or activities of enzymes involved in fatty acid oxidation and biosynthesis in the liver.

Canine Carboxyl- and Hydroxyl-Containing Metabolites Altered after a Three-Week Supplementation of Cannabidiol (CBD)-Containing Treats in an Exploratory Study

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Volume 5 -Issue 2 groups, including metabolites containing carboxyl groups, including fatty acids and their derivatives, and hydroxyl groups, which includes important biological compounds like hormones [4,5]. If there are no known metabolites of interest, untargeted metabolomics can also be used to identify specific biomarkers that can then be used in targeted metabolomics or pathway analyses in future work.In our previous study, we applied a CIL/LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics technique to examine differences in plasma metabolites containing amine/phenol and carbonyl chemical groups in dogs receiving CBD-containing treats compared with control [6].

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“…Volume 5 -Issue 2 groups, including metabolites containing carboxyl groups, including fatty acids and their derivatives, and hydroxyl groups, which includes important biological compounds like hormones [4,5]. If there are no known metabolites of interest, untargeted metabolomics can also be used to identify specific biomarkers that can then be used in targeted metabolomics or pathway analyses in future work.…”